About this role
Who We Are
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.
What We Do
We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression and pain. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), and we anticipate submitting a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2026.
Our Phase 3 epilepsy program also includes a second FOS study, X-TOLE3, which would support regulatory submissions outside the U.S., and the X-ACKT study in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which would support regulatory submissions for an additional epilepsy indication. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials underway in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD), based on topline data from our Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of our strong heritage in human genetics, deep understanding of ion channel biology, and expertise in novel chemistries to enable potent, selective ion channel targeting.
We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 and XEN1720 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are being developed for pain. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.
About the Role
We are seeking a Vice President, Sales to join our team. The Vice President, Sales will lead the design, build, and execution of Xenon’s U.S. commercial sales organization as the company evolves from a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company into a fully integrated commercial enterprise. This individual will play a critical role in shaping national sales strategy, building a high performing field organization, and driving commercial execution across specialty neurology and CNS markets.
As a core member of the commercial leadership team, the Vice President, Sales will define the field structure, hire and develop sales leadership and frontline talent, and establish the systems, processes, and performance expectations needed to scale effectively. This individual will partner closely with Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Commercial Operations, Legal, and Compliance to ensure a coordinated, compliant, and high impact go to market strategy.
Success in this role will require strong specialty sales leadership, experience building and scaling teams in growth stage environments, and the ability to translate strategy into focused field execution in a competitive and evolving CNS landscape.
This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing and will be fully remote.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Develop and execute the U.S. sales strategy in alignment with corporate and commercial objectives
· Partner with executive leadership to shape commercial vision and growth strategy
· Lead sales launch readiness planning, including field deployment strategy, targeting philosophy, training input, incentive plan partnership, and execution readiness
· Define the field structure, talent profile, and leadership expectations for the sales organization
· Build, hire, lead, and develop a high performing national sales organization, including Regional Directors and field representatives
· Establish clear performance metrics, sales goals, and accountability frameworks across the organization
· Establish the culture, leadership standards, and talent bar for the sales organization to support long term performance and scalability
· Partner with Commercial Operations to implement dashboards, CRM tools, reporting, and other infrastructure to enhance field effectiveness and visibility
· Drive execution excellence through coaching, training, performance management, and strong field leadership
· Collaborate closely with Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other cross functional partners to ensure a coordinated go to market approach
· Develop strong relationships with priority customers, thought leaders, and other key stakeholders across the treatment landscape
· Partner with Market Access and related functions to support pull through strategies across specialty pharmacies, health systems, and integrated delivery networks
· Align with Regulatory, Legal, and Compliance to ensure all sales activities are conducted in a compliant and patient focused manner
· Use data, analytics, and field insights to inform targeting, resource allocation, and ongoing sales optimization
· Monitor market dynamics, customer insights, and competitive activity to refine strategy and improve execution
· Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function in accordance with overall Company strategies and plans
· Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies
· Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach and evaluate direct reports, if any, in accordance with the Company’s Human Resource policies and practices
· Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any
· Some international travel may be required
· Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s degree required
· 15+ years of pharmaceutical/biotech sales experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles
· Proven track record of successful product launches, ideally in specialty or rare disease markets
· Experience in neurology, epilepsy, or CNS therapeutic areas strongly preferred
· Proven ability to hire, assess, and develop high performing sales leaders and field teams in a growth stage environment
· Experience leading second line sales leaders and scaling national field organizations
· Experience leading sales planning and field execution for a first launch or early commercial stage biopharma company strongly preferred
· Deep understanding of the U.S. healthcare ecosystem, including payer dynamics and specialty distribution
· Strong experience with KOL engagement and specialty customer strategy in complex therapeutic markets
· Demonstrated ability to build sales infrastructure, performance frameworks, and operating discipline in emerging or evolving commercial organizations
· Strong executive presence, communication, and cross functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence strategy and execution across departments
· Demonstrated success operating effectively in fast paced, growth stage environments where agility, judgment, and hands on leadership are essential
· Travel approximately 35%
Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options, as well as a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-& long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings programs with company matching contributions.
Xenon encourages time to rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. Xenon highly values employee development and has an expanding Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees.